Lisa Vernon Sparks

Hi all, I just set up a new Linktree portfolio. Please take a look at some stories I wrote or edited. Thanks! linktr.ee/lvernonsparks

Black women's unemployment has skyrocketed. Here’s what happened. The rate is now equivalent to White women’s during the bleakest moments of the Great Recession.

Black women's unemployment has skyrocketed. Here’s what happened. 19thnews.org/2026/01/blac... via @19thnews.org

At the Gantt, Black designers explore dandyism in NC version of Met Gala The May 2 event at the Gantt Center in uptown and features a red carpet, rotating runway and interactive panel.

www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen...

NAACP isn’t inviting Trump to national convention in Charlotte, a first The theme for the 2025 NAACP convention is “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” and includes free events for non-members to attend.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

Community joins The Charlotte Observer: What does freedom mean to you? A Juneteenth workshop shared ideas and answered questions about freedom.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

96-year-old Charlotte nonprofit to close, transfer services to Ada Jenkins in Davidson After federal funding cuts, Community Link’s leadership said they found a way to save some of its programs.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

‘Fight like hell’: Postal workers rally again, continue push back on privatization talk About 250 postal employees and supporters in downtown Raleigh on Sunday protested cost-cutting moves being considered by the Trump administration.

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Federal workers slam DOGE’s closures of Social Security offices and other cuts in NC Four of the 37 Social Security field offices in North Carolina are among leases being terminated by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Deadly light rail stabbing in Charlotte grows political under national spotlight The city of Charlotte released video footage Friday of the fatal stabbing. That video has now generated a national response.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

‘She’s a showgirl’: Charlotte Ballet’s bold ‘Carmen’ takes audiences to Las Vegas This Carmen works in a casino, looking for love, and maybe more in this lively reinterpretation of the classic story.

www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen...

Charlotte nonprofit hosts town halls toward community-led agenda ahead of elections Charlotte Observer journalists will assist with facilitating conversations during break-out groups in this community engagement effort.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Work with us: The Charlotte Observer is looking for summer 2026 interns Applications are being accepted for paid internships and the deadline to apply is Dec. 5.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Charlotte Observer’s ‘Captured Memories’ high school photo contest now open Open to Charlotte-Mecklenburg School juniors and seniors. Winners awarded during The Captured Memories Photographers’ Showcase in January.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

5 things for Black women to know about perimenopause — things I wish I knew, too There are “cultural nuances for Black women’s experiences” during this season of life that are often overlooked, a national study said.

www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

For me, 2025 brought great joy and triumphs (for my son) and a few bad developments (layoffs for journos). Still it's good to reflect, share and release what was accomplished. I am proud of the work I did at @charlotteobserver.com A sampling of stories I wrote or edited & projects I led. #onward

Juneteenth Community Workshop:  What does freedom mean to you? We want to hear from you Charlotte! Here is an opportunity to get in the conversation.Join The Charlotte Observer and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library on Wednesday, June 18 on for a stimulating tacti...

Plus a plug for The Charlotte Observer's Juneteenth Worskhop on June 18. Details here: cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/681ca...

The ‘Carolinas’ biggest Juneteenth event’ moving to new home in Charlotte New to Charlotte or haven’t been to Durag Fest in a while? Here’s what to expect at the eighth annual event.

www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

‘How can I stop?’ Charlotte preps for Juneteenth, despite DEI backlash, challenges At least one Juneteenth organizer reports funding cuts for events. Here’s what Charlotte is doing to celebrate.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

This Juneteenth, what does true freedom look like for Black Charlotteans? A local nonprofit is helping Black Charlotteans realize their own power.

H/T to the @charlotteobserver.com team and our coverage of Juneteenth event and what does freedom mean to the Black community in Charlotte. by Briah Lumpkins, Chase Jordan, Chyna Blackmon. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

The Charlotte Observe and The News & Observer staff named Pulitzer finalists for breaking news.

At the Gantt, Black designers explore dandyism in NC version of Met Gala The May 2 event at the Gantt Center in uptown and features a red carpet, rotating runway and interactive panel.

www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen...

Photos: Gantt, Black designers explore dandyism in NC version of Met Gala The May 2 event at the Gantt Center in uptown featured a red carpet, rotating runway and interactive panel.

The Met Gala 2025 is just hours away, but in Charlotte, Gantt Center hosted its own version on Friday. Check out this great photos and ICYM read my preview below: www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen...

At an event called the "Future is Here" hosted by ReddJobb.com advisors headed by Glenn Proctor, my mentor. It's a table talk with speakers and entrepreneurs. We're at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, in Charlotte. Speaking now is Glenn Burkins with qcitymetro.com

Newsletter Preference Center | The Charlotte Observer Sign up to receive headlines and Edition alerts straight in your inbox or manage current newsletter settings and options.

And more content from my newsletter Kaleidoscope, sign up at this link. After clicking, please scroll down for Kaleidoscope. www.charlotteobserver.com/newsletters#...

Charlotte-based PR firm leader among the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame 2025 class LaToya Evans, who leads The LEPR Agency, is a longtime journalist first inspired by pioneering Vogue editor and NC native, André Leon Talley.

And I did a Q&A with LaToya Evans, the prinicpal and chief communications officer at Charlotte-based LEPR Agency. Oh and Evans is going to the Hall of Fame. Find out why: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

As DC looks at Medicaid cuts, NC residents worry for their quality of life Potential federal cuts to Medicaid could leave thousands without health care overnight and slash some benefits and services.

I haven't posted in a quite a bit, but here is one I think is worth a read. Medicaid is a lifeline for 3 million North Carolinians. Here's a story by Briah Lumpkins explaining why: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/n...

Hats off to Kelly Lyons. Her book about mother-daughter bonds hits the Charlotte stage Q & A with Kelly Starling Lyons, author of “Tiara’s Hat Parade.” Her work about Black families and millinery traditions was adapted for stage.

Here's a quick Q&A with author Kelly Starling Lyons and her children's book "Tiara's Hat Parade" adapted for stage. It's a one-act play celebrating moms, daughters, and millinery. www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen... @charlotteobserver.com

What’s the secret to a long life? This 108-year-old Charlotte woman shares 3 of hers Julia Ann McKnight Teamer, who celebrated 108 years on Jan. 16, says one secret is to “say thank you.“

Charlotte native Julia Ann McKnight Teamer turned 108 years old on Jan. 16.

Is there a secret to a long life? She wouldn’t call it secret at all, but shared some rules for living that evidently helped her chances.

🎂 More from @lvernonsparks.bsky.social: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

Thank you, Observer readers, for letting us serve you with essential local journalism in 2024 The Charlotte Observer is boastful of its immense value to readers, with award-winning journalism, more reporters and new products in a banner year.

We had a busy year @charlotteobserver.bsky.social. Led by @ranalcash.bsky.social we want to thank our readers for letting us serve you ... and stay tune for a highlight reel of over events. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

John Spratt’s legacy: landmark accomplishments and reminders of a more civil time Spratt, who helped engineer the nation’s last balanced budget, died Saturday at 82.

Longtime Rock Hill-area Congressman John Spratt has died. Learn more here @charlotteobserver.bsky.social : www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...